Chapter 380: Chapter 380: You’ve Really Been Dumped
Xiao Si left after having his al.
Not long after he departed, Lan Yan received a call and had to leave as well.
She looked at Mrs. Xiao, a bit embarrassed, and said, “Aunt Yun, Mrs. Yu, I’m sorry, there’s an issue at the research institute that I need to go back and handle.”
Originally, Mrs. Xiao had planned a family dinner at her ho.
So, for Lan Yan to leave at such a ti, it indeed felt sowhat awkward.
But upon hearing her ntion work at the research institute, Mrs. Xiao imdiately said, “It’s alright, you go ahead. We can have dinner next ti.”
Mrs. Yu also echoed her sentints, “Yes, a al can wait. Work is more important. Why don’t we let Yu Mu escort you back?”
Yu Mu didn’t rush to agree but instead turned to ask, “Would you like to drive you?”
Lan Yan responded, “It’s no need, I drove myself here.”
Yu Mu chuckled, “Alright, then take care on the way.”
Lan Yan then apologized once more to Mrs. Xiao and the others before leaving the Xiao Family’s ho.
As soon as she left, Mrs. Yu turned to Yu Mu and said, “You silly boy, Xiao Yan didn’t want you to send her, but you really didn’t go?”
Yu Mu looked at his mother, exasperated, and said, “Mom, Lan Yan drove here herself. How could I escort her?”
Mrs. Yu ignored him and looked to Mrs. Xiao, saying, “Ah Yun, I quite like this child Lan Yan. She’s very accomplished, polite, and beautiful, though her personality is a bit quiet.”
Gao Yunlan’s first impression of Lan Yan was rather positive.
A doctor as well as a researcher.
The only drawback was her family background and upbringing, which weren’t impressive. However, Gao Yunlan thought that it wouldn’t matter, as long as she had the support of the Xiao Family.
“Yes, Yanyan is indeed a wonderful child,” Mrs. Xiao said with a beaming smile. “If not for our two families knowing each other so well, and Yu Mu being such a rare and excellent young man, I wouldn’t even have the heart to introduce her to others.”
She spoke as if Lan Yan were her own daughter.
Mrs. Yu said, “These two children seem compatible to . If they could end up together, you can rest assured, Lan Yan will be treated like my own daughter in our family—she’ll never be mistreated.”
Upon hearing this, Yu Mu furrowed his brows slightly.
He spoke firmly, “Mom, I don’t have any relationship with Lan Yan yet. Please don’t say such things.”
Though he had only interacted with Lan Yan twice, he could clearly sense that she wasn’t interested in him.
If it had been earlier, perhaps he would’ve thought her distant attitude was rely because they were newly acquainted and unfamiliar with each other.
But after hearing the conversation she had with Xiao Si, he was certain that Lan Yan truly had no interest in him.
Mrs. Yu gently teased, “Silly boy, if there’s no relationship now, then make an effort to pursue her. Wouldn’t that create one?”
At this mont, Mrs. Xiao interjected, “Yanyan is probably more sensitive than most. She’s an orphan who grew up in a welfare institute. But fortunately, she’s clever and has worked extrely hard since childhood, which is why she’s achieved her current successes. She’s also quite lucky; fate has been kind to her by allowing her to et good-hearted people along the way.”
Here, Mrs. Xiao was referring to Su He.
This was sothing she had recently learned from Lan Yan.
Lan Yan often ntioned that Su He was the person she was most grateful to in her entire life.
Because at her most helpless and challenging monts, Su He had taken her in and kept her by her side.
Yu Mu didn’t know that Lan Yan was an orphan. Mrs. Xiao had never shared this detail with him previously.
So when he heard this revelation, he felt a bit shocked.
Mrs. Xiao continued, “When she was just born, she was left at the gate of a welfare institute.”
Eventually, Mrs. Xiao couldn’t help herself and went to investigate.
Initially, she had thought Lan Yan’s claim of being an orphan was due only to so family tragedy.
But when she saw the information she uncovered, she beca so infuriated that her chest hurt.
It turned out she had been abandoned—left at the gate of the welfare institute when she was very young. Moreover, it had been during winterti when she was reportedly frozen to the point of turning purple. Miraculously, she survived.
It was after that discovery that Mrs. Xiao began delivering gifts to Lan Yan. Today, Lan Yan was here to return those items, and Mrs. Xiao had used this as an excuse to invite her ho.
But who would’ve thought that she would leave before staying too long?
“She’s really a pitiful child,” Mrs. Yu said with a sigh. “I don’t know what these parents are thinking—if they didn’t want a child, they shouldn’t have given birth. To abandon a child after giving birth is just cruel.”
…
anwhile, Lan Yan truly had to return to the research institute for work.
“Boss, is there an issue?” Lan Yan asked.
Su He nodded, “Yesterday’s experintal results failed. The data was problematic and needs to be analyzed again.”
“Got it,” Lan Yan responded.
Su He continued, “Initially, it was Sun’s shift today, but he requested leave due to an ergency. I had no choice but to call you back.”
“It’s fine. I was just idling anyway. I feel more fulfilled when working,” Lan Yan expressed.
Plus, she much preferred work over leisure.
Su He heard her reply and gave her a deep glance.
“Did I spoil you?” Su He asked.
Su He herself was sowhat of a workaholic and seed to have influenced those around her to share the sa tendencies.
Lan Yan didn’t quite catch her point at first and responded, “Huh?”
“I’ve turned you into a workaholic,” Su He explained.
“Not at all.”
Su He remarked, “You should really take ti to go out and explore rather than constantly focusing on work. Try socializing more.”
Lan Yan replied decisively, “I’d much rather stay in the lab than socialize.”
Su He: “…”
So, was her advice in vain?
Su He hadn’t previously considered Lan Yan’s lifestyle problematic, but now she found it indeed concerning.
It seed she needed to find a way to encourage her to change.
She couldn’t let Lan Yan’s life be consud by work without any semblance of personal life.
Thus, in the following days, Su He made sure to take Lan Yan along whenever she went out, regardless of the occasion.
Be it parties or events, wherever Su He went, Lan Yan followed.
The research institute had a considerable workload recently. Apart from conducting experints in the lab, there were corporate collaborations that required networking and attending events filled with banquet and drinking customs.
However, due to Su He’s status, no one dared to pressure her into drinking alcohol.
Most interactions consisted of flattering remarks.
Initially, Lan Yan felt uncomfortable with these gatherings, but after a few days, she began acclimating to them.
Since Su He had taken over the research institute, tasks requiring external communication naturally fell under her purview.
In the past, Su He solely focused on research and left other matters unattended.
But now things were different.
In fact, Su He didn’t necessarily have to undertake such duties—her status alone ensured others would co to her.
She rely wanted Lan Yan to get more exposure to the outside world.
She didn’t want her completely confined to work.
“Boss, why have there been so many dinner parties since returning to Yue City?” Lan Yan asked, puzzled.
They had just left a dinner party.
She recalled that back in Country F, there hadn’t been nearly as many social engagents.
Su He said, “What if I told you my goal was to let you et more people outside? Would you believe ?”
Lan Yan was montarily stunned.
Of course, she believed it. “Boss, there’s really no need.”
Su He smiled faintly, “I think it’s quite necessary. But I’ve noticed that this thod doesn’t seem to be working for you.”
After these days, she found that Lan Yan remained just as unaffected as ever, with no sign of change.
Lan Yan: “…”
Su He exhaled deeply and said, “Forget it; I’ll think of another approach.”
Lan Yan: “…Boss, how about dropping it? I’m really not suited for this type of socializing. Besides, I already know enough people.”
Truthfully, she wanted to say that knowing just a few people, like those they interacted with regularly, was sufficient.
Of course, Su He picked up on the hidden aning in her words.
She said, “Let think it over again. For now, let’s head ho.”
After speaking, Su He suddenly ca up with an idea.
She looked at Lan Yan and then said, “Oh, by the way, why don’t you move to Moon Gift Villa? Staying alone at Pear Garden Pavilion seems too isolating. If you live at my place, you could help out with Su Baobao from ti to ti. Fei Xu and the others live at my house as well, so you’ll have company. Co on, let’s head to Pear Garden Pavilion to pack up your essentials and head ho.”
She didn’t ask for Lan Yan’s permission; she simply decided on the spot.
Even if Lan Yan wanted to refuse, she couldn’t find a valid reason to oppose.
So the two of them went to Pear Garden Pavilion to pack before moving to Moon Gift Villa.
——
A week later.
The research institute’s partnership bidding results were announced.
The selected company happened to be Mu Yan dical, which was part of the Yu Family’s enterprise.
This morning, the representatives from both sides finalized the signing arrangents.
Inside the Yu Group’s conference room.
Yu Mu extended his hand to Su He with gentlemanly grace and said, “Professor Su, partnering with your institute is a great honor for us at Yu Group. We look forward to working closely with you to ensure the success of this project.”
Su He shook his hand briefly and responded, “The honor is mutual. Wishing us a smooth collaboration.”
Yu Mu’s gaze inadvertently landed on Lan Yan, who was standing next to Su He.
This was the first ti he had seen her again since their encounter at the Xiao Family.
Lan Yan noticed his glance and returned it with a polite smile.
Su He took note of everything but chose to stay silent.
Yu Mu then said, “Professor Su, do you both have ti later? Shall we have a al together?”
Su He politely declined, “Sorry, President Yu, I have sothing scheduled later. If you’d like, I can ask…”
Before she could finish, Lan Yan interjected, “Boss, I have plans, too.”
Yu Mu smiled and responded, “That’s fine. Since both of you are busy, we can schedule it another ti—after all, the future is long.”
They were bound to have more opportunities to et in the future.
Yu Mu had initially planned to escort them downstairs personally, but he was tied up with another eting and couldn’t manage.
“I’ll have my assistant take you downstairs,” he said.
Su He replied, “There’s really no need to trouble yourself, President Yu. Please focus on your work.”
Then she led Lan Yan out of the conference room.
When the elevator doors closed, leaving the two of them alone inside, Su He asked casually, “Lan Yan, what do you think of President Yu?”
Lan Yan thought about it seriously before replying, “Hmm, he’s gentlemanly, courteous, and outstanding in both appearance and talent.”
Her complints were sincere, but there wasn’t any hint of admiration in her tone—it was all very neutral.
Su He asked, “You don’t like his type?”
Without any hesitation, Lan Yan answered, “Hmm, I don’t like him.”
“Then what type do you like?”
Upon hearing this, Lan Yan fell silent for a mont.
Finally, she responded, “I’m not sure. I’ve never really thought about it.”
To be honest, she truly hadn’t considered the question.
More importantly, she felt that being alone suited her just fine.
It was easygoing, peaceful, and free from concerns like having to cater to soone else.
Three days later.
Today was Mrs. Xiao’s birthday party.
Two days prior, Lan Yan had received the invitation from Mrs. Xiao.
Su He and her circle also received invitations, so she wouldn’t be attending the event alone—otherwise, she might genuinely feel out of place.
After all, she wouldn’t know anyone at the banquet.
The venue for Mrs. Xiao’s birthday celebration was at the Xiao Family.
Behind the Xiao Mansion was a large outdoor garden, spanning an area about half the size of a soccer field.
At five o’clock in the afternoon.
When Lan Yan and the others arrived, the entrance to the Xiao Family’s residence was already lined with luxury cars.
Xiao Si stood alone at the gate, greeting guests.
“Why are you playing door attendant?” Wan Muqi teased him with a smile.
Both the Wan Family and the Gu Family were in attendance.
Xiao Si shot Wan Muqi a look and didn’t respond.
Wan Muqi’s mother, Mrs. Wan, smiled kindly at Xiao Si and said, “Xiao Xiao, don’t mind him. He has a habit of joking around like this.”
Xiao Si returned her smile warmly, “Aunt Ling, don’t worry. I’m not that petty. Please go ahead inside; my parents are already waiting for you.”
Mr. Wan and Mrs. Wan entered first.
Wan Muqi turned to Xiao Si again and quipped, “Want to keep you company out here?”
Xiao Si grumbled, “Stay away from !”
Wan Muqi laughed, “Did you eat gunpowder or sothing?”
“Don’t want to see you.”
Wan Muqi: “…”
“Could it be you’re nursing a heartbreak?”
Before he could finish, Jiang Yan’s voice rang out from behind him, “Who’s heartbroken?”
Turning around, he saw Jiang Yan, Su He, Gu Beiyan, and others standing behind him.
Wan Muqi grinned at them and said, “I was saying Old Xiao here is acting like he’s bitten into gunpowder.”
Xiao Si was genuinely at his wit’s end with him.
He raised his leg and kicked him, saying, “Can you stop spreading nonsense about ? I don’t even have a girlfriend—where would the heartbreak co from? Unless you’re suggesting I broke up with you?”
Wan Muqi grimaced, “Don’t disgust —I’m into won.”
“…”
The two of them bickered rcilessly whenever they crossed paths.
The crowd was already used to it.
Soon, the group headed inside.
They handed their gifts to the housekeeper.
Today was Mrs. Xiao’s fifty-fifth birthday, and nearly all the major family representatives were invited—both elders and younger generations.
Interestingly, there seed to be more young people than elders in attendance.
Upon entering, Su He imdiately noticed this pattern.
She leaned close to Jiang Yan and asked in a whisper, “Why do I feel like this birthday party is turning into a matchmaking event?”
This was the first thought that ca to her mind.
Jiang Yan replied placidly, “It’s not our concern. We’re just here to watch.”
anwhile, Lan Yan was pulled aside by Mrs. Xiao as soon as she entered.
Although Lan Yan didn’t want to go, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse Mrs. Xiao in front of so many guests.
After all, Mrs. Xiao had always treated her with kindness.
Mrs. Xiao took Lan Yan to et nurous people.
Lan Yan felt like she might exhaust her lifeti supply of smiles today.
For the first ti, she realized her facial muscles could stiffen from smiling too much.
Throughout this process, Xiao Si stayed silently by her side, not uttering a word—just quietly following her.
Half an hour later.
Mrs. Xiao was summoned to change her outfit, leaving Lan Yan montarily free.
She found a seat and sat down.
Just as she settled, a slender hand holding a bottle of water appeared before her.
She looked up.
Xiao Si gazed at her and said, “Drink so water to refresh yourself.”
Lan Yan accepted the bottle and thanked him.
Though, she couldn’t help but wonder how there happened to be bottled water at such an occasion.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, a low male voice explained, “So people don’t drink alcohol or enjoy juice, so we always prepare bottled water for our gatherings.”
Lan Yan: “…”
How ticulously thoughtful.
She rely responded with an “Oh” before falling quiet.
Xiao Si took the seat next to her.
Suddenly, he asked, “Do you know what Ms. Liang plans to do tonight?”
Lan Yan, puzzled, looked at him and asked, “What?”
Judging by her genuinely clueless expression, Xiao Si suspected she truly had no idea.
Had he not known her better, he might’ve thought she was playing dumb.
Reviews
All reviews (0)